The bill amends sections 16-11-2.3 and 16-11-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-11, which pertains to the certification of teachers in Rhode Island. It introduces several changes, including the removal of the term "regents for elementary and secondary" from the text, indicating a change in the nomenclature or structure of the board responsible for education. The bill also includes new provisions: one that extends current teacher certifications automatically for three or five years without fee or penalty as of July 1, 2024, and another that waives fees for applying for initial teacher certification and for Praxis examination fees for a three-year period starting July 1, 2024. Additionally, it allows teachers with at least three years of certified teaching experience to acquire additional certifications through examination or coursework.

Furthermore, the bill adds a new section, 16-11-11, which directs the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to review and revise its rules and regulations governing the licensure of teachers and administrators. The revisions should create multiple pathways and flexibility in credential requirements for obtaining teacher or administrator certification, including credit for non-traditional classes, work/life experience, and competency-based credit. The act is set to take effect upon passage, and it aims to extend certifications, facilitate teacher recruitment by waiving fees, and modernize the certification process to accommodate various forms of experience and competency.